3 Takeaways from the Brooklyn Nets Stagnant Loss to Philadelphia 76ers

Can it get worse? Of course. Just watch if you’re brave

The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers are weary travelers amid the journey that is the 2024-25 NBA season. Each is 30+ games deep into their campaign by now. They’ve touched down out West and gone above the border. They’ve traded more players, stirred more drama (really just Philly here), and suffered more injuries than most teams do in a full year.

The Nets, however, are a rebuilding squad. They’re riding coach on this voyage — and they like it that way. While it’s hard to imagine they’re enjoying this 13-win ride, it’s helping them finance a lengthy one as a first class NBA team in the not-too-distant future. (We hope and pray.)

Their seatmate, however, who came into today sitting just a game away from them in the standings, couldn’t be more upset. With the league’s ninth highest budget, they certainly paid for a first class ticket, but somehow find themselves seated back with the common folk. I know the holiday season is over, but think of the guys from Planes, Trains, and Automobiles if you want a clearer picture.

Not too long ago, the Nets and Sixers were also jockeying for position in the East, only far beyond the shadow of the Play-In tournament. No, Philadelphia 76ers vs Brooklyn Nets games may not be what they used to be. But they’re still something. Here’s what we got today.

Injuries Not Stopping the 3-Point Barrage

Jordi Fernández identified the 3-point shot as a key pillar in his team’s offense both with his words and his team’s play from the get-go this year. Despite having a relatively low-voltage offense, the Nets rank in the top-10 in triples attempted and made for the season. So although NBA ratings pundits might not care for it, he’s followed his game plan thus far.

Today, however, Brooklyn’s injury report presented him with perhaps the most compelling case to steer away from it all season. Just prior to the game, Brooklyn ruled out Cameron Johnson and Cam Thomas — who both lead the Nets in triples made per game this season.

Ben Simmons, who the Nets tagged with left calf soreness, was also a late scratch. While Simmons’ inability to shoot from range is well-documented at this point, his ability to generate threes for others is just as distinguished.

It was only the third time all year the Nets played without all three players — and the first without any other true point guard for a whole half, as D’Angelo Russell exited early with a right shin contusion. Needless to say, Brooklyn’s long range missile system missed some of its most important weapons.

But once again, Fernández stuck to his guns and fired away. Four of Brooklyn’s first five shots were from downtown. For the game, the Nets put up 41 threes, beating their usual pace at 39.3 triples per game.

Did it work? Absolutely not! But Brooklyn’s shorthandedness and Philly’s more talented roster should have told you that was going to happen from the jump. The point is, Jordi likes his threes, no matter who takes them or sets them up. Basketball modernists, rejoice.

Ziaire Williams is the Guy When We’re Missing Guys

With all the aforementioned players out today, the Nets needed the next, next, next man to step up. That man was Ziaire Williams this afternoon, who turned in a solid performance on both sides of the ball in just his second game back after a month-long absence due to a knee sprain.

ZDub led the Nets with 19 points, two assists, and three rebounds while shooting 6-9 from the field and 4-6 from deep. Those four triples tied a career-high for him in made threes for a game. He also picked away a steal and rejected a shot.

Some praise should go to Brooklyn’s motley crew of ball-handlers for setting Williams up. For his six buckets, Keon Johnson assisted on three of them, Russell on two before leaving the game, and then Tyrese Martin on one.

Having said that, it’s a make or miss league, and Williams made them tonight, even with the offense struggling outside of him.

Building Blocks are there for Reece Beekman

In a similar snoozer last week, I wrote about how we’ve yet to scratch the surface with Reece Beekman, who played a season-high 14 minutes but produced little. Much of the column segment focused on how we’re likely to get something from him sooner rather than later. Turns out, sooner was today.

Short staffed again, Beekman returned to the rotation in Brooklyn and with him brought a handful of things to build on. His speed and athleticism, which he illustrated during the San Antonio game, was what he started with tonight. Although Tyrese Maxey got the better of him more often than not, Beekman’s lateral quickness allowed him to defend Philly’s star about as well as anyone could ask.

“Yeah, that’s the reason why we really liked him,” Fernández said postgame of Beekman’s defense. “Since he started in college, his ability to create turnovers, then deflections, and pressure the ball. I really liked how he keeps his chest in front of the ball and definitely I’m a big fan of pressuring the ball, that’s how you win a lot of NBA games, you create points off turnovers and turnover the possession game, so I’m happy with the way he played.”

That defense led to offense later in the game as well. Stopping Joel Embiid in the high post is no easy task, even when the star big man is foul-baiting. Beekman pulled it off nonetheless before blocking a triple right after and then hustling down for a hang-in-the-air and-one lay.

Beekman finished the game with seven points and shooting 3-4 from the field. He also came up with a steal in the backcourt, which led to one of his makes.

Again, that’s nothing to marvel at, but his stinginess and willingness to pull the trigger are the little things we know Jordi Fernández likes in his players. With the point guard rotation depleted again after today’s injury news, he’s gone from a name you blink at to one for you to watch.